With planning, vegetarian diets can fuel athletesAthletes who are vegetarians can get the nutrition they need with careful planning to ensure adequate energy and nutrients, registered dietitian Linda Copp writes. Tips include eating iron-rich foods such as leafy greens, chickpeas and dried apricots, and calcium-rich foods such as broccoli, figs and tofu. San Diego Union-Tribune
(12/16)

Meals to Heal fills a dietary niche in cancer careMeals to Heal delivers meals to cancer patients at home, using a healthy Mediterranean-style menu created by registered dietitians who are certified as oncology specialists. The group's chief clinical officer, RD Jessica Iannotta, says the service fills a need in the cancer community with fresh, healthful meals created around evidence-based information. Today's Dietitian online
(12/6)

FDA begins allergen researchThe FDA has begun a study to determine safe thresholds of allergens. The research will help the agency respond to concerns about allergen contamination and petitions for allergen-label exceptions. Supermarket News
(12/13)

Study suggests weight-loss link from whey protein, amino acidsA small study found that older, obese adults who consumed whey protein and amino acids as part of their weight-loss program lost more fat than did those who followed a diet without those ingredients. The ingredients "increased muscle metabolism, and this may have triggered a greater reduction in body fat," said researcher Robert Coker of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, who adds that the results could also apply to younger people. WebMD
(12/14)

Fitness

Aerobics outperforms resistance training in weight lossData on overweight and obese middle-aged participants showed those who performed aerobic exercise alone or in combination with resistance training burned more fat and lost more weight compared with those who only did resistance training alone. The results were published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. HealthDay News
(12/17)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by SmartBrief for Nutritionists readers in the past week.

L.A. schools to give students more say in meal planningThe Los Angeles Unified School District will make nutrition education part of the school curriculum, give students more input in school meals and ensure that they receive at least 20 minutes to eat. David Binkle, L.A. Unified's food-services director, says nutrition professionals plan to continue surveying students about school meals and form "culinary advisory teams" to help direct school-nutrition efforts. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
(12/15)